Manhunt for suspect who raped woman near UCR

An aggressive search is under way in the Inland Empire on Thursday for a man who kidnapped and raped a 20-year-old near the University of California, Riverside.The attack happened about a mile away from the UCR campus near the intersection of Eucalyptus and University avenues at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. The suspect was still at large Thursday, but authorities said they are following many leads.

Police were going from business to business to look for any surveillance video that might have captured the attack on camera. Police were also trying to get as much information as possible about the suspect from the victim to try to put out a composite sketch.

According to police, the victim was a former UCR student who recently tried to re-register for class.

Classes don't begin until next week, but already several students have moved into off-campus housing nearby.

"It scares me just to know that there's actually people like that around. It makes me not want to be anywhere by myself at all," said Jennifer Valadez, a UC Riverside employee.

The victim was outside a fast food restaurant when the suspect drove up in a tan-colored van, pulled out a gun, and forced the woman into his vehicle. Police said he then drove east toward UC Riverside.

The suspect stopped somewhere along Chicago Avenue in a remote location, raped the woman, and then fled the scene.

Police described the suspect as a Hispanic man in his early to mid 30s, 5 foot 6 inches, and 160 pounds, with a mustache and dark hair that was combed back at the time.

Anyone with information was urged to contact Riverside police at (951) 353-7126.